TABLE OF CONTENTS

A. Logistics

• The Field

• Referees

• Teams

• Base Coaches

• Substitutions

• Attendance

B. Game Play

• Games

• Cancelled Games

• Mercy Rules

• Forfeits

• Pitching

• Kicking

• Fair and Fouls

• Outs

• Strikes

• Balls

• Base Running

• Fielding

• Obstruction

• Interference

• Proper Field Position

A. LOGISTICS

1. The Field

a. Bases will be spaced 18.288 metres (60 feet) apart.

b. The pitchers plate will be in the centre of the infield, equidistant from the 3 bases and home plate.  The pitchers mound is defined as a 3.0 metre radius surround the pitchers plate

c. Foul Territory is any part of the field not between the first base and third base baselines.

d. Safety Extra First Base — When the option of using this field setup is selected by the league coordinators for a season of play, this extra base must be used for all games of that league's regular season and league tournament games. If the extra base is used:

i. The extra base is only available for runners travelling from home plate;

ii. Fielders trying to make an out on first base must touch the base in fair territory (the first base). Runners hindered by a fielder touching the base in foul territory (the extra base), will be safe;

iii. When a play is attempted at first base, a runner who touches the first base prior to being called safe at the extra base shall be called out;

iv. Once a runner has reached first base safely the runner must start the next play on the first base. Any runner standing on or touching the extra base at the beginning of the next play will be out;

v. The runner is permitted to use the first base if avoiding collision with a fielder in foul territory. In this event, the fielder in foul territory is permitted to tag the extra base;

vi. The runner may use first base if attempting to advance to second base, or if there is no fielder on first base. A runner using or touching first base in any other circumstance is out.

e. Safety Home Plate — A secondary home plate should be placed approx. 1 metres to the left of the Home Plate

2. Referees

a. Referees (also called “Umpires”) have jurisdiction over play and may take any action at their discretion reasonably deemed to meet the letter or spirit of these rules, including but not limited to:

i. calling a time out;

ii. calling off or postponing a game due to darkness, rain or other cause;

iii. penalising a player or spectator, including game ejection, for any reason after one (1) warning. This includes but is not limited to un-sportsman like conduct, fighting, delay of game and excessive verbal abuse. Ejected participants must leave the field area and may not return to the game(s) for the rest of the day/evening.

iv. delay of game is defined as a team taking more than 90 seconds to either get into defensive positions and making a first pitch, or the kicking team not having a kicker in the kicking box.  The penalty can result in an out being called for the current kicking team or for the defensive teams next kicking inning

b. There shall be up to three Referees per game, with the Head Referee designated at home plate and responsible for the calling of game time, balls, strikes, fouls, outs and runs. Additional Referees shall be placed near first and third bases and responsible for calling runners as safe or out at first, second and third bases. Any dispute among the Referees shall be determined at the sole discretion of the Head Referee.

c. Only team Captains, or if the Captain is absent, the Captain’s designee, may engage with the Referees with respect to Referees’ play calls. Excessive engagement between ineligible players and the Referees may subject the player to penalisation or ejection, at the Referees’ discretion.

d. If, at the Head Referee’s discretion, an improper call impacts the outcome of a play, the Referee may recall the kicker and any baserunners and replay the pitched ball.

3. Teams

a. Each team must play at least seven (7) and no more than fifteen (15) players; ten (10) players at any one time when a team is fielding.

b. The “home” team shall field in the top of each inning and kick in the bottom of each inning and the “away” team shall kick in the top of each inning and field in the bottom of each inning.

i. For regular season games, the Head Referee shall, immediately prior to each game, administer a random process for allowing one team to determine whether they wish to be the home or away team.

ii. For tournament games, the higher seeded team shall have the right to determine whether they wish to be the home or away team.

c. Team captains must ensure that:

i. all players participating in the game must kick in the written scorebook kicking order;

ii. any eligible player arriving after the start of the game must be added to the end of the team's written scorebook kicking order.

d. All players must be allocated equal playing time as is mathematically possible per day of play.

i. Captains are responsible for creating fair and even lineups for all regular season games and regular season tournaments. A full kicking lineup with innings that players will be sitting out must be submitted to the Head Referee and opposing captain before the game. A fielding position lineup will suffice.

ii. All players must be slotted to field as even a number of innings as possible per game. No player may sit out a second inning unless at least one other player is sitting out an inning for the first time at the same time. Etc. (No 3rd out for player A before player B has or is sitting out twice).

iii. Captains may only substitute players off/on to the field in case of injury or illness. The replacement fielder must be a player who has the least slotted starting time of the available benched players.

e. Designated Kicker: If, in a Captain’s good faith judgment, a player has an injury which would impact that player’s ability to play defence only, the Captain may slot that player to kick only, and sit out as a defensive player for the entire game. The Captain must verbally instruct the Head Referee prior to the game. A Designated Kicker may assist as a base coach, etc.

f. Designated Fielder: If, in a Captain’s good faith judgment, a player has an injury which would impact that player’s ability to kick, the Captain may slot that player to play defense only.  The Captain must verbally instruct the Head Referee prior to the game. A Designated Fielder may assist as a base coach, etc.

4. Base Coaches

a. Two members of the team at kick may coach first and third base. The base coaches must assist in retrieving foul balls and may switch with other team members to remain in the proper written scorebook kicking order.

b. Base coaches may not interfere with the game including entering the field or touching any player intentionally during a play

c. Interference by a base coach shall result in an out.

5. Substitutions

a. In cases of injury or illness, a time-out may be requested for participant removal and replacement with a teammate as a substitute. If the participant later returns to play, the participant must be inserted in the same written kicking order position previously held.

b. If a player is ejected, injured, or becomes ill and cannot continue, the written kicking order will continue in the same formation, less the removed player.

c. There is no "automatic out" when the removed player's spot in the order is reached.

d. Only runners who are injured while traveling to a base, and who successfully make it to a base, may be substituted. There are no other allowable runner substitutions.

e. A runner may be substituted no more than twice during the game. After the second substitution, the injured player will be removed from the game and no longer be allowed to participate.

f. Unless otherwise stated at the beginning of a kickball season, substitute players from outside of the league are not permitted to play. If you are shorthanded you must play shorthanded.

g. In extreme or extenuating circumstances where substitute players from outside of the league, or players not officially registered to a team, (Guest Players) are permitted to play, the following rules will apply:

i. Approval of any Guest Player shall require majority approval of the league leadership.

ii. A Guest Player is permitted to play only if there are less than 11 registered players present.

iii. A Guest Player may play no more than two games per season.

iv. A Guest Player substitute may not play during the final tournament.

6. Attendance

a. Players shall endeavour to attend all games.

b. Players must inform their Captain of their reasonably expected attendance when requested and update the Captain if their attendance status changes.

c. Veteran Registration: In a season where veteran status shall earn players the opportunity to participate in Veteran Registration for the immediately following season, the following rules shall apply:

i. Players must attend a minimum of six weeks of an eight-week season (including the tournament) in order to qualify for veteran status. Non-playing referees attending at least six weeks of an eight-week status shall qualify for veteran status.

ii. With respect to players, attendance means a player’s presence at the game within ten (10) minutes of the scheduled game time:

1. With the capacity to play; or

2. An injury preventing that player from playing.

iii. Failure to qualify for Veteran Registration shall not disqualify any players from participating in standard registration in any future season.

B. GAME PLAY

1. Games

a. Seasons target 60 minute games

i. Games will last at most 7 innings or approximately 60 minutes.

1. Once the game reaches the 45-minute mark, the Head Referee will announce:

a. If the game is in the top of an inning, that the current inning (top and bottom) will be played and be the final inning.

b. If the game is in the bottom of an inning, that the next inning (top and bottom) will be played and be the final inning.

2. In the event of a tie score at the end of the game, the game go into Sudden Death Rules

a. Each team gets to kick once more

b. Each kicking teams inning starts with the last person out (3rd out) from their previous kicking inning as a runner on second base. The inning has 3 outs like normal. 

c. Each kicker gets ONE single pitch: 

• Ball = walk

• Foul / Strike = Out 

• Fair ball = fair play

• Runs scored are added to the tally.

• If there is a continued tie after both teams have had one chance to kick, this is same process repeated until there is a winner.

b. Players may wear non-metal cleats (if not in violation of park rules).

c. Where silent, these rules are deemed to incorporate commonly accepted rules of play for kickball and, where not inconsistent, softball and/or baseball.

2. Cancelled Games

a. A game that is called off by the Head Referee after three (3) full innings of play may be considered a regulation game. The game score at the end of the last full inning shall determine the winner.

b. In the event that game day circumstances change rapidly such that completion of an already-started inning is unfeasible or unsafe (at the discretion of the Head Referee), the optimal resolution is to wind the game back to the end of the most recently completed inning. A Head Referee may call the game as completed provided three (3) full innings will have been played after the wind-back. See Rule B.1.2.

c. A game that is called off by the Head Referee for any reason before three (3) full innings of play shall not be considered a regulation game and a resumption of the game may be rescheduled.

d. Games that are cancelled due to darkness, rain or other cause shall be appended to the end of the regular season schedule; subsequent weeks of games will keep the original season schedule.

3. Mercy Rules

a. If a team is winning by 15 or more runs at the end of the 5th inning, the game will be called.

b. If a team scores 7 runs in an inning, that half inning will immediately come to an end as if the fielding team had made three outs. No team can score any more than 7 runs in an inning.

i. If a team is losing by 7 runs or more in the last inning when they kick, they can score an unlimited number of runs. Example: If the score is 6-8, the 7 run limit still applies to the team with 6 runs. If the score is 0-8, the team with 0 runs has unlimited runs. If they score 9 runs to bring the score to 9-8 and the team with 8 still gets to kick (Home team), the game is over if/when the other team gets to 10, making the final score 9-10. If the team with 0 runs had been the Home team and got 9 runs, the score would be final at 9-8.

c. Unlimited Runs- if a team is losing by 7 or more runs in their final inning of kicking, they can score unlimited runs

4. Forfeits

a. If a team doesn't have at least seven (7) players 10 minutes after a game is supposed to start, that team forfeits. The team that doesn't forfeit will get 7 runs and the team that does forfeit gets 0 runs.

b. If both teams fail to have at least seven (7) players, both teams will be charged with a loss and receive 0 runs.

5. Pitching

a. Pitches must be smooth-rolling at a moderate speed (no fastballs), with minimal bouncing and little to no spin.

b. A ball pitched smoothly into the batting box in any part of the strike zone is considered a strike. See STRIKES & BALLS for details.

c. Once the pitcher has the ball in control and retains possession on the mound, the play ends. Runners who are off base at this time and in forward motion may advance only one base. Runners who are off base at this time and not in forward motion must return to the last base they touched. The pitchers mound is defined as a 3 meter radius from the pitching plate

6. Kicking

a. Kickers must kick with at least one foot in the kicking box (either planted or made contact with the ball within the box) and may not kick the ball in front of or behind the kicking box. The kicker may line up outside of the kicking box.

b. Any ball kicked outside of the first base or third base baselines will be considered foul.

c. If the ball touches the ground in the outfield in fair territory or any player on the fielding team in fair territory before entering foul territory it will be considered a fair ball.

d. A count of four (4) balls advances the kicker to first base. Other base runners only progress if they are forced. See BALLS for details.

e. A count of three (3) strikes is an out. See STRIKES for details.

f. A claim of improper kicking order must be made to the Head Referee who will make the final determination. Such a claim must contain two parts:

i. that the written kicking order was exchanged

ii. that the claim is made on the field no sooner than the first pitch thrown to the accused "wrong" kicker, and no later than the first pitch thrown to the subsequent kicker. The burden of proof rests with the accused team. Any resulting play is nullified by a finding of improper kicking order, with an out recorded for the "wrong" kicker.

g. After a pitched ball is called a strike or foul, that is the final call.

7. Fairs and Fouls

a. .Foul balls count as strikes. One courtesy foul is given to a kicker who has two strikes against them. The next foul or strike after the courtesy foul, the kicker is out.

b. A foul ball is:

i. a kicked ball landing in foul territory.

ii. a kicked ball touched in foul territory.

iii. a kicked ball landing in fair territory, but touching foul territory on its own at any time before reaching first or third base.

iv. a kicked ball whose direction is altered by contact with any object other than the ground in foul territory, and called as such.

v. a kick made on or above the knee.

vi. a kicked ball touched more than once or stopped in the kicking box by the kicker.

vii. a ball kicked in front of or behind of the kicking box.

viii. a ball kicked to the left or the right of the kicking box in which neither of the kicker’s feet is inside the kicking box.

ix. a ball kicked with the underside of the kicker's foot.

c. A fair ball is:

i. a kicked ball landing and remaining in fair territory, excluding kicks resulting from kicker conduct described in Rule 7.b.v-viii above.

ii. a kicked ball landing in fair territory then traveling into foul territory beyond the 1st-3rd base diagonal, excluding kicks resulting from kicker conduct described in Rule 7.b.v-viii above.

d. A kicker may elect to kick any pitch that is called a ball for failure to adhere to Proper Field Position (see Rule 2.B.10), upon which normal rules of fair and foul balls shall apply.

8. Outs

a. A count of three (3) outs by a team completes the team's half of the inning.

b. Outs can occur in a number of ways:

i. Catching a ball that is kicked before it touches the ground.

ii. Making a force out by tagging the base to which a runner is travelling with any part of a fielder’s body, while the fielder has control of the ball, before the runner gets there. A force out can only occur if the runner MUST run (eg all of the bases behind the runner are occupied).

iii. Tagging a runner that is not on a base. Tagging includes touching a person with the ball while you hold it, or hitting them with it below the neck. If a runner is upright and a fielder throws or touches the runner in the head or neck they may freely advance to the next base.

iv. A runner that strays too far from the established base path will be declared out regardless of whether that runner is tagged with the ball.

v. A runner that passes a base without making contact with that base will be declared out:

1. Upon touching the base subsequent to the passed base; or

2. If the runner behind that runner touches the passed base.

vi. A runner that passes another runner is out.

vii. A runner who fails to properly tag up on a caught ball, as called by a Referee upon the conclusion of the play, is out. (See Rule 11.l below.)

viii. If a runner gets hit by a kicked ball the runner will be declared out.

ix. If the player is hit while standing on a base the player will not be declared out.

x. A count of three (3) strikes is an out. See STRIKES for details.

xi. A kicker will be called out after accruing four (4) foul balls.

xii. Foul balls count as strikes.

xiii. The tag of a base by any part of a fielder’s body, while the fielder has control of the ball, before the runner originating at that base can tag-up as required due to a caught ball will result in that runner being out.

xiv. "Tagging up" is not allowed on foul balls. Runners may not advance on a ball caught for an out in foul territory.

xiiv. If a runner from third base touches the main (non-safety) Home Plate

9. Strikes

a. A count of three (3) strikes is an out.

b. A strike is:

i. a pitch that is not kicked and is not called a ball that enters any part of the strike zone and

ii. an attempted kick missed by the kicker inside or outside of the strike zone.

c. Foul balls count as strikes. One courtesy foul is given to a kicker who has two strikes against them. The next foul or strike after the courtesy foul, the kicker is out.

d. The strike zone is defined as home plate extending a home plate width of 43.18 centimetres (17 inches) to each side of home plate, and no more than 30.48 centimetres (one foot) off the ground. The length of the strike zone side marking shall be measured at no less than 1.52 metres (5 feet) extending at least 45.72 centimetres (18 inches) into fair territory.

10. Balls

a. A count of four (4) balls advances the kicker to first base. Any forced runners ahead of the kicker shall each also advance one base.

b. A ball is:

i. a pitch outside of the strike zone as judged by the Referee where a kick is not attempted;

ii. a pitched ball that does not touch the ground at least twice or roll before reaching the kicking box;

iii. a pitched ball that exceeds 30.48 centimetres (one foot) in height from the bottom of the ball as it enters the kicking box;

iv. a pitched ball that exceeds 30.48 centimetres (one foot) in height from the bottom of the ball at any time while passing through the kicking box, prior to reaching the kicker;

v. a pitched ball that is higher than 30.48 centimetres (one foot) at the plate;

vi. a ball pitched overhand or sidearm;

vii. a pitched ball at an excessive or deliberately slow speed.

c. The Head Referee may, at the Referee’s discretion, call any pitched ball as a ball if the fielding team is not in Proper Fielding Position (see Rule B.15).

i. The Head Referee should indicate the call of ball and improper fielding position prior to the ball passing through or near the strike zone.

ii. A player may elect to kick a pitched ball called a ball for improper field position. See Rule B.7.d.

11. Base Running

a. A runner may not leave the base (also known as “leading off”) until the ball has been kicked.

b. If a runner is found to be off the base before the ball is kicked by the kicker the Head Referee shall call them out.

c. If a player intentionally interferes with a play, it will be an automatic out. Intentional interference is decided at the Head Referee’s discretion.

d. Overthrow rule: An overthrow is a ball thrown, kicked, or deflected by the fielding team into past the out of bounds territory as defined by 3 meters past the foul line

i. Once a ball has crossed the out of bounds line, each runner automatically gets the next base from the last one they were safely at from the ball crossing the out of bounds

ii. Example- If a runner is on 1st base (safely) and a runner is on their way to 2nd base when a ball goes out of bounds, the person running to second base only gets to get to 2nd base while the runner at 1st can’t advance since they are “trapped” 

e. Runners must stay within the base path. Any runner outside the base path is out.

f. Runners may choose their path from one base to the next, and may follow a natural running arc.

g. Players may “run through” first base and may not be tagged out for failure to be on the base, unless they pass through first base with the clear intention of continuing to second base (eg, making a full left turn). Any runner attempting to continue on may be tagged out (loses the ability to “run through” first base).

h. Players may be tagged out if they are not in contact with second or third base.

i. Players “running through” first base must come back to touch the base if they would like to continue to second base.

i. If a player does not come back to touch first base before running to second, the player will be required to return to first base once the play is over.

ii. If an out is made on that player while attempting to take another base, the player is still out, even if he did not come back to touch first base.

j. Runners are free to change course to avoid interference with a fielder making a play.

k. When attempting to avoid a ball tag, runners may move no more than 1.21 metres (4 feet) out of their established path. A Referee may call a runner out for straying too far from the base path.

l. Tagging Up: A tag-up is a requirement to retouch or stay on the originating base until a kicked ball is first touched by a fielder, if a kicked ball is caught. After a tag-up, a runner may advance. A runner failing to tag-up as required allows that player to be made out by tagging the player or the originating base.

m. Wet field safety run-through rule: at the Head Referee’s discretion, players may be permitted to overrun second and third base by two paces. When this rule is in application, players who have safely reached second or third base and are two or less paces past that base shall be treated as if they are in contact with the base for the purpose of all other rules.

n. Home plate Commitment Line- the home plate commitment line is marked at approximately 3 metres from Home Plate.  Once a runner from third base to home plate crosses this line, they become a forced runner and cannot turn back to 3rd base.

o. A “Run” on a 3rd out does not count if the 3rd out was a forced play.  If it is an unforced play and a runner from 3rd safely hits the Safety Home Plate before the unforced 3rd out is made, the run counts.

12. Fielding

a. When in the field, a team may field no less than seven (7) and up to ten (10) players on the field, six (6) in the infield (First Base, Second Base, Shortstop, Third Base, Catcher and Pitcher) and four (4) in the outfield.

b. Fielders must stay out of the baseline.

c. Fielders trying to make an out on base may have their foot on base, but must lean out of the baseline.

d. Runners hindered by any fielder within the baseline, not making an active play for the ball, shall be safe at the base to which they were running.

e. Runners may choose to advance beyond this base while the ball is still in play.

f. The catcher must field behind the kicker, and may not cross home plate nor be positioned forward of the kicker before the ball is kicked.

g. The catcher may not make contact with the kicker, nor position so closely to the kicker as to restrict the kicking motion.

h. There is no infield fly rule.

i. A fielding player may not intentionally drop a catchable ball in order to execute a double play. If a player intentionally drops a ball and executes a double play, as determined by the Referee, then all players are safe at their next base including the kicker at first. If the Referee determines that the player accidentally dropped the ball, then play continues via normal rules of play.

13. Obstruction

a. Fielders must stay out of the base path.

b. Fielders trying to make an out on base may have their foot on base, but must lean out of the baseline.

c. Runners hindered by any fielder within the base path, not making an active play for the ball, shall be safe at the base to which they were running.

d. Runners may choose to advance beyond this base while the ball is still in play.

e. The catcher must field behind the kicker, and may not cross home plate nor be positioned forward of the kicker before the ball is kicked. The catcher may not make contact with the kicker, nor position so closely to the kicker as to restrict the kicking motion.

14. Interference

a. When any non-fielder or non-permanent object except a Referee or a runner, touches or is touched by a ball in play in fair territory. This interference causes the play to end, and runners shall proceed to the base to which they were headed.

b. When any runner on or off base intentionally touches a ball. This interference causes the play to end, the runner to be out, and any other runners shall return to the base from which they came, unless forced to advance.

c. When any kicker intentionally hits the ball with their hand or arm. This interference causes the play to end, the kicker to be out, and any other runners shall return to the base from which they came.

d. During any play where a ball is popped or deflates significantly, that play shall be replayed with a properly inflated ball.

15. Proper Field Position must be maintained by all fielders until the ball is pitched. Proper Field Position is:

a. for Pitchers:

i. The pitcher must have at least one foot on or directly behind the pitching strip when releasing the ball;

ii. No part of the pitcher’s front foot may be in front of or across the front edge of the pitching strip.

b. for Catchers:

i. The catcher must be positioned within or directly behind the kicking box and behind the horizontal plane of the kicker, parallel to the front edge of home plate.

ii. The catcher may not make contact with the kicker, nor position so closely to the kicker as to restrict the kicking motion.

iii. The kicker may not trigger a position violation through manoeuvres judged by the Referee to be deliberately tricky or unsportsmanlike.

c. for remaining fielders: Remaining fielders must remain in fair territory behind the 1st – 3rd base diagonal until the pitcher releases the ball.

d. No player crossing the pitching line can advance in front of the Pitcher until a ball is kicked.  There is no maximum on the number of players who can cross the pitching line and advance at the same pace or behind the pitcher

Version 1.0 dates 18 October 2023